Dilemma over imports grows as Kallis signs (22 December 1998)

22 December 1998

Dilemma over imports grows as Kallis signs

By Peter Deeley

COUNTIES are struggling with unparalleled problems in their search for overseas professionals next summer.

Glamorgan yesterday announced the signing of South Africa's finest batting prospect, Jacques Kallis, but they must accept the certainty of losing him during the World Cup campaign next May and June.

This was to have been the season when clubs would go without overseas players, but the planned experiment was discarded and now, as one county chief executive conceded: "It's all something of a mess."

Gloucestershire's experiences with Courtney Walsh indicate the pitfalls in 1999 awaiting sides seeking both the best player and one available throughout the season.

The two qualities are almost certainly incompatible. Peter Anderson, chief executive of Somerset, said: "These days you have to get someone who is on the way up or on the way down if you want their unfettered commitment."

Anderson is soon flying to Australia to run the rule over Shane Lee, who played for the county in 1996, and Tasmania's captain Jamie Cox, but he is clear about his brief.

He said: "We don't want a player who has any chance of being tied up with the World Cup, or with the Australians in West Indies in April or in Zimbabwe in August."

Next season poses the additional imperative for counties of finishing in the top half of the table in that they want to avoid the lower league when the two-division split comes in 2000.

Kallis, who played one season for Middlesex, has signed for two years with Glamorgan. Their captain Matthew Maynard said: "It's a magnificent signing, just about the best we could have had.

"He has proved in the last 18 months just what a good all-rounder he is. I have no doubt he will make a significant impact."

Kallis will undoubtedly be a member of the South African World Cup party and as likely favourites he could be tied up until late June.

Maynard said he was "not too concerned". He added: "Even if South Africa get to the final, he will be available to us for two-thirds of the season".

Other counties take a more cautious view. Surrey are considering two or three names and say categorically: "We don't want anyone involved in the World Cup."

Colin Sexstone, chief executive of Gloucestershire, who withdrew from negotiations with Walsh when he wanted a contract allowing him to play in the World Cup, said: "We are looking afresh, but the man must be unconditionally available to us.

"Some counties are prepared to wait until Feb 28, when countries have to name their World Cup parties, but we think that is too late."

Leicestershire, however, are prepared to wait to see if Phil Simmons is chosen for West Indies. The chief executive David Collier said: "We have one or two names drawn up as a contingency if Phil isn't available, but much will also depend on what players England take from us. Then we shall be better able to see what we need to put out a balanced team."

The depth of the counties' dilemma is reflected in the fact that, with the new season less than four months away, only about half can be sure who their overseas professional will be. Even Warwickshire have not settled Allan Donald's return.

Jim Cumbes, Lancashire's chief executive, has accepted that if Sri Lanka get to the final, Muttiah Muralitharan will miss about a third of the summer.

Lancashire have negotiated a flat contract with Muralitharan, but other counties have reached deals paying players pro rata on the number of county games played.

OVERSEAS LINE-UP

Definite Signings

Derbyshire (Slater, Australia); Durham (Boon, Australia); Essex (Law, Australia); Glamorgan (Kallis, South Africa); Lancashire (Muralitharan, Sri Lanka); Northamptonshire (Hayden, Australia); Nottinghamshire (Strang, Zimbabwe); Worcestershire (Moody, Australia); Yorkshire (Blewett, Australia).

Probable

Middlesex (Langer, Australia); Sussex (Bevan, Australia); Warwickshire (Donald, South Africa).

Possible

Hampshire (McLean, West Indies); Leicestershire (Simmons, West Indies).

Still Looking

Gloucestershire, Somerset, Surrey, Kent.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)